PM calls for stable Tet prices

Hanoi (VNA) - The Prime Minister has called on ministries and government
agencies to tighten controls and take steps to ensure stable markets and social
security during the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

In
a directive sent last week, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Ministry of Industry
and Trade to closely monitor market demand and supply, especially necessary
goods and services, to take timely measures to ensure a supply source and
reasonable prices nationwide during Tet, which falls in late January 2017.

The
ministry was instructed to prevent counterfeit and low-quality goods without
clear origins from being sold in the market and strictly punish those who
speculate on products and cheat customers to earn illegal profits.

Besides
preventing smuggling, fraud and counterfeit goods, the Ministry of Finance, was
also asked to control market prices so that they remain stable before and after
Tet.

Under
the directive, the PM requested the State Bank of Vietnam to ensure cash supply
is sufficient for the economy during the holiday, ATM machines work properly
and workers get paid before the festival.

The
central bank was also instructed to take effective measures to ensure stability
of monetary, foreign exchange and gold markets.

It
was told to increase inspections and monitoring on operation of credit
institutions and foreign banks’ branches to ensure the banking system’s safety
and liquidity.

The
directive requires the Ministry of Transport to ensure that there are
sufficient vehicles for people to travel during the Tet holiday with their
families, especially those in remote and disadvantaged areas, including those
inhabited by ethnic minority communities.

It
should also implement plans to keep unsafe and substandard vehicles off the
roads, ask transport companies to publicise their rates and deliver tickets
directly to passengers.

It
asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure that the
agriculture sector continues production to meet market demand during the Tet
holiday.-VNA